US actor and producer Brad Pitt has let go of his Los Feliz refuge — a striking glass-and-steel home nicknamed the “Steel House” — selling it for about US$5.2 million (HK$40.4 million), even if that meant taking a loss of roughly US$300,000 from what he paid only two years ago.
The buyer is Elvis actor Austin Butler, who reportedly secured the 2,100-square-foot hillside property at a discount after a June break-in. While Pitt was overseas promoting a film, masked burglars entered the house; four suspects were later arrested, the youngest just 16.
Built in the 1960s and framed in steel, the L-shaped house is a study in California modernism — open, luminous and seamlessly integrated with the outdoors. Its expansive floor-to-ceiling glass walls draw sunlight into every corner, blurring the line between interior and landscape. The living, dining and kitchen areas flow into one another under exposed steel beams, anchored by a suspended white fireplace that gives the space warmth and character.
Outside, the house opens onto a private oasis wrapped in greenery, where a shimmering pool and sauna create a sense of calm. From the terrace, sweeping city views stretch toward the horizon — a perfect backdrop for poolside gatherings or quiet evenings.
Inside, the home’s three bedrooms, each accented with vivid blue carpeting against white walls, evoke a crisp, playful energy. The main suite faces the pool; slide open the glass doors, and a few steps lead straight into the water. The bathrooms are designed for indulgence — one side with a shower, the other with a built-in soaking tub flush with the floor, offering views of the garden outside.
Even the courtyard invites relaxation: a Japanese-style wooden hot tub and a private sauna offer a retreat within a retreat. For Pitt, who has long been fascinated by architecture and craftsmanship, it was a home that embodied his quiet appreciation for design — a mix of function, beauty and introspection.
The house has a celebrity lineage. Before Pitt, it belonged to Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine, and its enduring allure has made it a sought-after address among creative circles.
For Pitt, long fascinated by architecture and design, the sale may mark more than a real-estate shift. The 61-year-old Oscar winner has lately shared his life with jewelry executive Ines de Ramon, whose calm, cosmopolitan presence he credits with bringing a sense of ease after years in the public glare.
Professionally, too, Pitt seems poised for reinvention. He’s set to star in The Adventures of Cliff Booth, written by Quentin Tarantino, and could rejoin George Clooney, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts in a long-rumoured Ocean’s Eleven sequel.
For Pitt, parting with it feels like clearing space — not just in his portfolio, but in his life.
